Why do dictatorships deny everything and blame everyone else

[james_tigerwoods]

I cite places like Zimbabwe and Iran - The leaders of these countries always seem to stand on their soapbox and shout as loudly as possible "Britain" did it (or other Western nations) - The thing is, noone on the international stage seems to believe them and the nationals know it's all crap, so why do they grandstand so much even when overwhelming evidence points to the contrary?

The most recent example is Ahmadinejad - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8425704.stm

[ewenm]

Because they have to project absolute power and certainty. If they get something wrong and admit it, they will be seen as fallible and come under threat from others. It's all about holding onto power. If you can convince your population that there is some big bad wolf that you're protecting them from, you'll find it easier to stay in power. (Ref: Climate Change/War on Terror etc).

[Nimbus]

james_tigerwoods said:

I cite places like Zimbabwe and Iran - The leaders of these countries always seem to stand on their soapbox and shout as loudly as possible "Britain" did it (or other Western nations) - The thing is, noone on the international stage seems to believe them and the nationals know it's all crap, so why do they grandstand so much even when overwhelming evidence points to the contrary?

The most recent example is Ahmadinejad - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8425704.stm

yeah... 'cause I mean.. that Saddam and his weapons of mass destruction

[Fidgits]

yeah, cos the UK and US goverments dont do exactly the same thing do they?

[Mr Dave]

Its those bloody bankers. Causing all this trouble and making you not be able to afford shiney things on your credit cards.

[F i F]

Plus it's those bloody councils not gritting roads properly so muppets with crappy tyres end up getting stuck.

[thinfourth2]

It's all maggies fault

[glazbagun]

Because they have to be seen to believe the lie. If Blair had just come out & said "I think we need to invade Iraq because it's what the US want's to do and I think it's in our interests to keep in with the Yanks", we'd never have made it into Iraq.

Same with Brown and his refusal to ever admit doing anything wrong, or company directors who squirm their way out of answering direct questions. Honesty may be what we desire from these people, but there's no way they'd be able to survive in their positions were they to be so openly pragmatic- all that would happen is that media/rival politicians would grab hold and not let go till they were out.

Edited by glazbagun on Tuesday 22 December 11:47

[T89 Callan]

You could write to Peter Mandelson and ask him?

[Soovy]

james_tigerwoods said:

I cite places like Zimbabwe and Iran - The leaders of these countries always seem to stand on their soapbox and shout as loudly as possible "Britain" did it (or other Western nations) - The thing is, noone on the international stage seems to believe them and the nationals know it's all crap, so why do they grandstand so much even when overwhelming evidence points to the contrary?

The most recent example is Ahmadinejad - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8425704.stm

Same reason that the one eyed Scotch stroke victim blames the bankers, and the Nazis blamed the Jews.

[rs1952]

Fidgits said:

yeah, cos the UK and US goverments dont do exactly the same thing do they?

Can we edit the title to "Why do governments deny everything and blame everyone else"

As somebody has already said, its all Maggies fault

Or the previous conservative government
Or the miners
Or the previous labour government
Or global warming

etc etc